Turns out driving hands-free might be in the nearing future.

Delphi Automotive, a Michigan based auto supplier, has equipped an Audi Q5 with autonomous technologies developed by its engineers and will test their self-sufficient conceptions in a 3,500 mile journey from San Francisco to New York.

The Q5 will maintain its appearance of a “regular” car, rather than that of a science experiment, with the autonomous equipment of laser sensors, radar, and multiple cameras imbedded into the Q5s interior, front, side, and rear paneling. This technology will work in tandem to enable the car to stop, proceed from a four-way intersection, or merge onto a highway. During the trip, someone will be behind the wheel at all times in case of a condition that the technology is not equipped to handle.

Delphi engineers are eager for the increased data that will be collected from assorted roadways, weather, and traffic conditions on the cross-country trip to help figure out the best combination of sensors. "We're going to learn a lot out of this," said Jeff Owens, Delphi's chief technology officer.

Autonomous driving capabilities may be available to the public as early as 2019.

Stay tuned to Jim Ellis Audi Marietta for more updates on the Audi autonomous car.